Snare-drum



(No Model.)

G. W. BEMIS SNARE DRUM.

No. 342,062. Patented May 18, 1886.

Fig.1. Fig.2.

WITNESSES F IIVI/E/VTOH M [bl Afforney UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE.

GEORGE \V. BEMIS, OF \VORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SNARE-DRUM,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 342,062, dated May 18, 1886.

Application filed September 1, 1885. Serial No. 175,933. (No model.)

ties for constructing a drum that will balance well on a player s legs while marching; and, fourth, to afford propcrfacilitics for supporting a band-room drum. I attain these objects bythe mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure]. is an elevated view of a drum as it would appear when complete; Fig. 2, a sectional elevated view as it would appear if divided through the center; Fig. 3, an elevated view of a band-room drum with legs and music-rack attached.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The top shell, A, with the bottom shell, B, the top rim or hoop,I, and the ilesher-hoops O and C constitute the frame-work of the drum. Around the flesher-hoops C and 0* are doubled or crimped the heads (J and D. The loweror snare head with ilesher-hoop incloscd is then placed upon the shell 13. The upper shell, A,

' with outer edges rounded is then placed upon said lower head, I). The upper or beating head, 0, containing the ilesher-hoop is then placed on top of the said shell A. The top rim or hoop, I, is then placed upon the beat-- ing-head'O, said rim being provided with holes to receive the tightening-rope II, as is also the bottom shell, B, so provided. The rope His then passed through one of the bottom holes, said rope being provided with a knot at the end, and of suitable length to complete the circle of the drum by alternately going from top to bottom, and at each angle shape formed are attached the sliding tighteners G and left atthe top of the /\-shaped angles. The

rope is drawn as tight as possible. The end then being secured at the point of commencement, the tightening-ears G may then be forced downward, thereby tightening the heads 0 and D to the desired tension.

The snares E, of gut or other suitable material, (eight or more in number,) are secured to a piece of strong leather or rawhide, the opposite ends of which are passed through a small slit on top of the lower shell, 13, to the opposite side, then through a similar slit in top of said bottom shell into an adj ustablc clamp pro-- vided with tension-screw F.

Fig. 3 illustrates the device which I prefer for the band room, in which I omit the lower shell and substitute metallic bands B and B, connected together with rods K K K K. To the band 13" are attached adjustable legs L L L, three or more in number. Thelower ends of said legs or supports areprovided with screws N N, said legs being hollow. I insert the extensionlegs M M M, thus allowing the performer to raise or lower the drum to suit cir cumstances, and also to cant said drum as desired. To the top rim,I, may be attached inusic-raek holder 0. Said holder being hollow facilitates raising or lowering the music at will, the stem P being inserted into said hollow and attached to spring Q.

I prefer the open bottom or shell as just above described for band-room as better adapt ed to allow the soundto vibratein being raised higher from the floor thanif held between the knees and in a cluster of performers of various instruments.

I am aware that prior to my invention snaredrums have been made in which the heads vary in distance from each other. I therefore do not claim such a combination, broadly; but

\Vhat I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A snare-drum having a beating-head, a snare-head, a top shell, a bottom shell, the snare-head ad j ustcd between the top and bottom shell, with tightening-rope going alter- 9 2., The combination,in a snare-drum, of a beating-head, a snare-head, a top shelLa bot; tothelower edge of the bottom rim or shell, tom shell, with the snare-head adjustedbetween the top and bottom shells, the tightening-rope going alternately from top rim or 5 hoop t0 the lower edge of the bottom shell, and said rope being provided with sliding ears or tighteners,with the adjustable legs attached and jan adj ustable music-rack attached to the top rim, substantially as set forth.

GEO. W. BEMIS. Witnesses:

EDW. D. LANDRY, OLIVER ARNOLD. 

